anybody who knows senator mcconnell and reid knows that. they're both very good at what they do, and outmaneuvering one another, which raises the question, with no personal relationship and they're so politically far apart and beholden to their interests in the party, why should we expect that compromise will happen? >> i think that the future of the party, republican party very much depends on getting away from this view held by some in the public that they're just obstructionists. the other thing is that there are just too many things that are really important. like the bond rating, for example. there's a lot of talk now that if they don't work something out, we're likely to use another aaa bond rating, which costs the american taxpayer even more money. just too many things that have to be worked out. i think the main message from the election is we want you people to get together and do it. >> and business leaders saying fix it. >> but it's also a bit like -- nothing focuses the concentration like the feeling of the hangman's noose. and